Chapter 4 - Political authority in action Flashcards
how many different ethnic groups inhabited Russia
over 100
what did the different ethnic groups pose a challenge to
tsarist autocracy as the different groups asserted their distinctive identities
what was banned in 1876 for Ukrainians
the use of Ukrainian language in publications or performances
how did Alexander III extend the intolerance of national differences
developing a policy of Russification
what was Russification
it sought to merge all the Tsars subjects into a single nation with a feeling of shared identity, controlled by autocracy and the Orthodox Church
How was Russification carried out in Finland
‘diet’ (parliament) was weakened
use of Russian language was increasingly demanded
Finnish postal service abolished
Russian coinage replaced local currency
how was Russification carried out in Poland
administration was changed
polish national bank was closed
schools and universities had to teach almost all subjects in Russian
literature had to be studied in a Russian translation
how did Russification affect the Baltics
although they had been loyal tp Russia, it still affected them
Russian was enforced in all state offices, schools, universities police force and judicial system
how did Russification affect Ukraine
Ukrainian language limited
theatres closed
How Russification affected religion
adherence to the orthodox was encouraged
laws benefited people of orthodox faith, non orthodox believers were restricted
How Russification affected the military
conscription was extended to areas previously exempt, conscripts were dispersed to prevent national groupings
results of Russification
unrest and mass disturbances broke out in many Russian provinces, however they were quickly suppressed
resentment grew among wealthy and educated Finns, poles and baltic germans, national groups constantly petitioned for more liberties
local language books were secretly published
fuelled political opposition
what did supporters of Russification believe
that it was necessary in order to ‘unite’ the country, improve administration and allow for modernisation, however it failed these objectives in the long term
what racial group were the most affected by Russification
jews
how many jews were in the Russian empire
around 5 million
where were jews mostly confined to
the pale of settlement
what happened to make Alexander II confine the Jews
the Polish revolt (1863-64)
this made him withdraw his concessions and reduce the jews participation in town government
when were the main outbreaks of jewish pogroms
1881-84
where did the series of anti jewish pogroms break out
April 1881 Ukraine
how many Ukrainian cities did the anti jewish pogroms affect
around 16
what happened in the anti jewish pogroms
jewish property was burned, shops and businesses were destroyed and there were many incidents of rape and murder
authorities did little to stop it (Okhrana may have even encouraged it)
consequences of pogroms
many jews fled to Western Europe, sporadic pogroms continued after the main outbreaks ended
anti Semitic laws (1882-94)
May Laws of 1882 - confined Jews to living in ghettos in towns and cities even within the Pale of Settlement
1886 decree - preventing Jews from running inns by restricting their right to sell alcohol
1892 - forbidden from taking part in local elections
impact of antisemitism
from 1890 Jews outside the Pale were deported from Russia
many Jews were either forced out the country or left voluntarily
around 30,000 Jewish artisans were expelled from Moscow
however, this drove many Jews towards revolutionary groups
